Valentine's Day Dinner For Two, Just $14
Jeanette Pavini, Coupons.com Savings Expert, shows Brian Sheehan how you can make a Valentine's Day dinner for two for just $14.
Surf & Turf: You don't want to overindulge on Valentine's Day, so think small portions of high quality ingredients like steak and prawns. The butcher is there to help. Ask for custom, small portions. Three prawns per person is more than enough. Arrange them on a mini skewer with lemon wedges in between. At $7.99 pound we were able to get 6 prawns for just $2. Similarly, keep steak to a 1/4 pound per person and if you can't find a small enough piece in the pre-packaged section, ask the butcher to cut one for you.
- Prawns: $2
- Steak: $3.99
- Lemon: $0.50
Tomato Soup with Heart-Shaped Crouton: You'll find the perfect balance between cost and convenience when you buy a boxed soup like this organic tomato and basil, but personalize it with a handmade touch. Buy a small sandwich roll, toast it, and cut a heart-shaped crouton to top off your soup. Serve soup in a teacup — no need for a huge bowl.
Tomato and Basil Soup $2.50 – $1 = $1.50
- Sandwich Roll: $0.89
Mushroom Bruschetta: You will only need two small slices from your sandwich roll to make the croutons. Utilize the rest to make a bruschetta appetizer. Tomatoes aren't in season and will likely be more expensive and less flavorful this time of year. For a winter take on bruschetta, we used mushrooms sautéed with garlic, balsamic, and whatever leftover or dried herbs you have on hand (thyme works great).
- 1/4 pound mushrooms $1
Heart-Shaped Roasted Potatoes: Use a mini heart-shaped cookie cutter to turn your roasted potatoes into a Valentine's Day themed side dish. Sprinkle with paprika to add a garnish of festive red.
- Potatoes 2 pound: $1.88
Fire Roasted Corn, Peppers, and Onions: One myth of couponing is that you can't find coupons for healthy foods. That's simply not true. We found a $1 off coupon for this blend of fire roasted vegetables. Plus, frozen vegetables are frozen at their peak, preserving nutrients and making them a great veggie option.
- Green Giant Fire Roasted Vegetables $2.94 – $1 = $1.94
- coupons.com: Save $1 on one bag any variety Green Giant Sautés or Fire Roasted frozen vegetables
Yogurt-Dipped Strawberries: For a healthier take on chocolate-dipped strawberries, opt for frozen yogurt-dipped strawberries. Dip strawberries in your favorite flavored yogurt and set them on a wax-papered lined tray. Put them in the freezer for 30 minutes. Optional: Add sprinkles or mini chocolate chips.
- Strawberries $1.99
- Yogurt $1.45 – $0.20 = $1.25
Red Wine: If you're on a budget, you can't always afford top of the line wine — even on the holidays. Instead buy a budget bottle and pour it into a decanter.
- Red Wine: $2.49
- Total Cost: $19.43
Inexpensive Decor: Place a can inside a vase so there is at least a half inch perimeter between the can and vase. Set a candle on top of the can. Now fill in the sides with candy hearts or Valentine's M&M's to create an affordable, candlelit dinner.
- Coupons.com: Save $1 on any 2 MARS Valentine's Day
Photo Tree: Instead of flowers, make a personalized arrangement that will last forever. Fill a vase with branches and clip your favorite couple photos to it. Cut out hearts and hang them from the branches to fill out your tree. For an added touch, spray branches with a glitter spray paint.